(ISO: Geneva) -- The International Organization for Standardization recently launched an essay competition for young professionals in developing countries and economies in transition on the contribution that international standards can make to the implementation of public policies.

The purpose of the competition for the Helmut Reihlen Award is to encourage young professionals to engage in international standardization and to raise awareness of the importance of standards in promoting safe and sustainable economic development. The theme for the 2008 award is “International standards supporting public policies.”

“In a globalized world, public policies can no longer be developed and implemented in isolation when they impact on trade, health, security, and the environment,” says Alan Bryden, ISO secretary-general. “Increasingly, the use and referencing of standards, based on the consensus of the interested stakeholders, may assist in good regulatory practices and good public governance.”

The competition—co-sponsored by ISO and the Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN), ISO member for Germany—is named after Professor Helmut Reihlen, Ph.D., director of DIN from 1977 to 1999.

The contest is open to permanent employees of standardization institutions, members of ISO, in developing countries and economies in transition. Delegates and experts involved in ISO technical work, duly authorized by the ISO member in their country, may also participate.

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